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heykellyjensen's review against another edition
125 pages and quit. I just didn't care at ALL for Polly. She was kind of an annoying character and I couldn't see where this book was going. Seemed like it was going in circles.
saragrochowski's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Sydney Salter's sophmore novel, SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK! I was pulled in to Polly's story quickly and didn't want to the novel to end! While, at first glance, SWOON simply addresses the common theme of a girl with "daddy issues" turning to boys to deal with her problems, it is also a fun novel with hilarious dialogue.
I wasn't sure if I would really connect with or like Polly, but I was a bit attached to her by the end of the novel. She was spunky, sarcastic, and witty! While she is confused, fake, and prickly at the start of the novel, she really grows throughout the novel.
The secondary characters in SWOON were all perfectly written. I have a soft spot for each and every one of them. Polly's little sister was my favorite though - her stuffed animal collection reminded me of my Beanie Baby days!
And oh my gosh: Xander. He was so unbelievably adorable. It was definitely obvious from the beginning of the novel that Xander is the perfect guy for Polly but in her confused and boy phobic state there would be a bit of a journey to her realization of this fact. I loved the tension and buildup to this point. Xander definitely joins the ranks of my favorite book boys!
I will definitely be reading MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, Salter's debut novel, sometimes soon! I think I've found a new author to add to my favorites!
I wasn't sure if I would really connect with or like Polly, but I was a bit attached to her by the end of the novel. She was spunky, sarcastic, and witty! While she is confused, fake, and prickly at the start of the novel, she really grows throughout the novel.
The secondary characters in SWOON were all perfectly written. I have a soft spot for each and every one of them. Polly's little sister was my favorite though - her stuffed animal collection reminded me of my Beanie Baby days!
And oh my gosh: Xander. He was so unbelievably adorable. It was definitely obvious from the beginning of the novel that Xander is the perfect guy for Polly but in her confused and boy phobic state there would be a bit of a journey to her realization of this fact. I loved the tension and buildup to this point. Xander definitely joins the ranks of my favorite book boys!
I will definitely be reading MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, Salter's debut novel, sometimes soon! I think I've found a new author to add to my favorites!
liliandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The multitude of ex's hasn't really sunk in for Polly yet. When she gets stuck with a job with ex #2 Sawyer, she finally sees how dating the most active people in her junior year might just backfire. Active meaning that, for each one of them she's had to do something in order to keep up with what they were interested in, and mold herself to keep them interested in her. Having enough with the male species for a while, Polly wishes to disconnect herself from the testosterone population. Being focused on work because of the amount of bills piling up and having her "Miss Swoon" advice columnist grandmother in the house seem like perfect ways to distract herself. However, when she starts to get the feeling that "Miss Swoon" doesn't heed her own advice, and her mother takes a job at the Hamburger Heaven--local burger joint that Polly's friends populate frequently--she finds that she needs to escape from her own life in order to feel any semblance of control. Xander Cooper's hot new appearance plans to splash that thought out of the water.
Knowing that any relationship with Xander Cooper can only end up with more activities and her than she can handle, Polly chooses to distance her as much as her hormones deem possible. When she starts seeing him more and more frequently with his nieces and nephews and her Wild Waves job, she realizes that avoiding him will be more difficult than she ever thought.
Swoon at Your Own Risk was more of an enjoyable and touching story to read than I ever expected it to be. SAYOR was a lighthearted, psychological read of the common household missing a male-father figure. Polly's way of pushing away anyone that tried to get close enough to see under the surface was well interpreted and had a meaningful understanding when you see how tough of a childhood she experienced. Salter's writing of Polly's experiences when life gets too complicated dealing so many of her ex's was well-crafted and developed into the harsh tale of how Polly deals with such situations. Running away and hiding her problems behind jokes seemed common for her, pushing away from her loved ones looked like second-nature. When a new character breaks into the mix, he doesn't seem to faze Polly at first. Finding that he has his own issues somehow makes her slowly realize her mistakes and regrets. Polly's wide-ranged knowledge, vocabulary words, and charismatic-positive attitude developed her character in the book progressively.
SAYOR is recommended with the heartiest of character revelations.
Grade: A-
Knowing that any relationship with Xander Cooper can only end up with more activities and her than she can handle, Polly chooses to distance her as much as her hormones deem possible. When she starts seeing him more and more frequently with his nieces and nephews and her Wild Waves job, she realizes that avoiding him will be more difficult than she ever thought.
Swoon at Your Own Risk was more of an enjoyable and touching story to read than I ever expected it to be. SAYOR was a lighthearted, psychological read of the common household missing a male-father figure. Polly's way of pushing away anyone that tried to get close enough to see under the surface was well interpreted and had a meaningful understanding when you see how tough of a childhood she experienced. Salter's writing of Polly's experiences when life gets too complicated dealing so many of her ex's was well-crafted and developed into the harsh tale of how Polly deals with such situations. Running away and hiding her problems behind jokes seemed common for her, pushing away from her loved ones looked like second-nature. When a new character breaks into the mix, he doesn't seem to faze Polly at first. Finding that he has his own issues somehow makes her slowly realize her mistakes and regrets. Polly's wide-ranged knowledge, vocabulary words, and charismatic-positive attitude developed her character in the book progressively.
SAYOR is recommended with the heartiest of character revelations.
Grade: A-
loveleareads's review
3.0
Swoon at Your Own Risk was a cute and fun read. I really loved the story line, but unfortunatley did not feel the same about the main character, Polly. It's not that I didn't like her, it's just that there was just something about her that I didn't connect with. She was just too needy at times and a little foolish. Even though I wasn't really attached to Polly I was still rooting for her through the book. Polly wasn't my favorite, but I loved Xander. He was just so cute and sweet!
The writing was adorable ad capitvating. This was a real charming, relatable story (I mean, who hasn't had a crazy ex situation once or twice before, right?) and an enjoyable read.
The writing was adorable ad capitvating. This was a real charming, relatable story (I mean, who hasn't had a crazy ex situation once or twice before, right?) and an enjoyable read.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Polly has sworn off boys after a year of disastrous dating, leaving a string of ex-s behind her. You might think that she would be better at this whole dating thing since her grandma is a romance advice columnist, but no. Now Polly is working for the summer at a water park where ex #3 is her supervisor. Most of her issues stem from dad's absence in their lives since the divorce as well as mom's financial struggles. There are also conflicts with best friend Jane and a crush on the hot neighborhood skateboarder.
Nothing to hate but nothing to love about this one.
Nothing to hate but nothing to love about this one.
shutupnread's review
3.0
I liked Swoon at Your Own Risk but I didn't really, really like it - it was good enough for me to enjoy thoroughly. I thought the plot was interesting but kind of cliche in some areas. I feel like there are always books about the main girl protagonist who decides to swear off boys and then hilarity ensues. Like, look at the Lonely Hearts Club. Isn't that the same thing or at least really similar?
Anyway, besides the plot, I enjoyed the characters. I actually didn't like Polly much because I just couldn't relate to her. I felt like what she was thinking was completely different than what she was doing. It didn't really add up. The character I really liked was Xander. I thought he was a wonderful character and not just because he looks so good but because of his deep personality. I loved the...poems? he wrote. Are they even considered poems? Either way, I liked reading them and it definitely showed a different side of Xander - one that I wouldn't have expected and obviously, neither did Polly.
The other characters were kind of one-sided - they were fun to read about but they weren't great.
The ending was kind of disappointing, to be honest. I was actually expecting some more but the reality seemed to be less dramatic than what I was playing out in my mind which tends to happen more and more often these days...
Overall, Swoon at Your Own Risk is a good book and one that'll pass the time quickly but don't expect TOO much.
Anyway, besides the plot, I enjoyed the characters. I actually didn't like Polly much because I just couldn't relate to her. I felt like what she was thinking was completely different than what she was doing. It didn't really add up. The character I really liked was Xander. I thought he was a wonderful character and not just because he looks so good but because of his deep personality. I loved the...poems? he wrote. Are they even considered poems? Either way, I liked reading them and it definitely showed a different side of Xander - one that I wouldn't have expected and obviously, neither did Polly.
The other characters were kind of one-sided - they were fun to read about but they weren't great.
The ending was kind of disappointing, to be honest. I was actually expecting some more but the reality seemed to be less dramatic than what I was playing out in my mind which tends to happen more and more often these days...
Overall, Swoon at Your Own Risk is a good book and one that'll pass the time quickly but don't expect TOO much.
readeradventure's review
4.0
This book was really cute! It made me long for lazy summer days, and summer romance. This was a really fluffy novel with deeper plot lines than are made obvious when you first pick up the book.
Polly was your typical teenage girl trying to find herself. She had become such a hodgepodge of different interests from all of the guys she had dated. This book was about her finding new love and learning not to compromise herself. Polly's grandma (Miss Swoon) was really funny and made me wish I had a grandma like that. (minus all the men) I also liked how all of Polly's previous boyfriends all had very different interests and personality. I did not get confused about who was who which I was afraid of. I also loved Xander he was by far my favorite part of the novel!
On another note I felt that this book was very stereotypical and I found myself wishing for a few more characters who were less stereotypical.
But besides that I really enjoyed this book and it makes me want to pick up Sydney's first book My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters. I hope to read more by Sydney in the future!
Polly was your typical teenage girl trying to find herself. She had become such a hodgepodge of different interests from all of the guys she had dated. This book was about her finding new love and learning not to compromise herself. Polly's grandma (Miss Swoon) was really funny and made me wish I had a grandma like that. (minus all the men) I also liked how all of Polly's previous boyfriends all had very different interests and personality. I did not get confused about who was who which I was afraid of. I also loved Xander he was by far my favorite part of the novel!
On another note I felt that this book was very stereotypical and I found myself wishing for a few more characters who were less stereotypical.
But besides that I really enjoyed this book and it makes me want to pick up Sydney's first book My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters. I hope to read more by Sydney in the future!
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